Triumph TR65 Thunderbird
Encyclopedia
The Triumph TR65 Thunderbird is a British
motorcycle
that was made by Triumph Motorcycles at the Triumph worker's co-operative at the Meriden
factory, when they re-introduced the Triumph Thunderbird
model name to their range in April 1981.
The TR65 was a 650 cc parallel twin with a short-stroke version of the 750 cc T140 Bonneville
engine. This made the engine livelier with a better throttle response and maximum torque produced at higher engine speeds. The TR65 also has a single 30 mm Amal
carburettor and a mild cam.
Aimed at the economy market, it was cheaper to insure than the 750 and could return 54 mpgimp. Costs were reduced by having a single silencer, using points instead of electronic ignition and a drum rear brake instead of the more expensive disc. There was no tachometer and the warning lights and ignition switch were housed in their pod instead. Cycle parts, including the Girling rear suspension unit springs - were painted in satin black rather than bright chromed or polished, the exhaust system being black chromed to match. Dunlop
Gold Seal economy tyres were fitted instead of the more expensive Avon
Roadrunners specified for the 750 roadster range. Triumph included newly introduced European components such as German ULO direction indicators and Italian Raedelli whell rims and Paioli
petrol taps. The original 'paper dart' Thunderbird logo designed by Edward Turner
for the first Thunderbirds in 1949 was retained on the side panel badge as a reminder of the model's lineage.
Triumph unexcitingly described the TR65 in their publicity poster as Performance With Economy. According to Meriden's records held by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club
, the first TR65 was built on 17 June 1981 priced at £1,829.82.
Although produced in 'USA' (2 gallon tank, high handlebars) as well as 'UK/Rest of the World' (low handlebars, 4 gallon tank) cosmetic specifications , no TR65 was exported to the United States because, as with the 750 cc TR7V Tiger, from mid-1978 on, the fitted Amal
Mk 1 carburettor offended that country's Environmental Protection Agency's regulations. The TR65 was exported to Western Europe and to British Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand albeit in small numbers.
A TR65S Thunderbird albeit one factory-fitted with the electronic ignition and electric starter options (hence the 'S' suffix) and after-market Hedingham leading link front forks carried Richard and Mopsa English and a Squire sidecar
around the world from 1982 to 1986. The journey is detailed in their book, Full Circle and their TR65S combination is, since 2010, on display at the London Motorcycle Museum
.
All UK/RoW TR65 models were to come with the newly-designed, Italian-sourced, 4 gallon fuel tank (pictured) but, in his 2009 book, Save the Triumph Bonneville !, former Triumph chairman, John Rosamond details shortages of this part meant the older 4 gallon 'breadbin'-style tank was initially also used.
A trail version with electronic ignition, the TR65T
, was also introduced in 1981 but, together with the earlier 750 cc version was dropped from the range due to poor sales in late 1982, perhaps understandable given that it was priced the same as the 750 cc version.
According to Triumph's 1982/3 range brochure, the cycle parts of that season's 'USA' styled Thunderbird dispensed with the satin black finish, instead adopting bright chrome, polished alloy, a tachometer, twin bright-chromed exhausts and Marzocchi
rear suspension units which came, ironically, with black springs as standard. The UK version added the twin exhausts, Marzocchi
s and tachometer but retained the satin black cycle parts of the 1981/2 models. Whilst both versions retained their contact breaker points ignition, they were now, like the 750 cc models, shod with Avon Roadrunner tyres. There were price differentials for 1982 USA and UK/RoW styles, for instance being priced at DM8495 and DM8395 respectively in the important German market.
Ten TR65 were modified as Dernys
for bicycle speed trials work / pace bikes at the Leicester Velodrome although they were since located at London's Herne Hill
facility.
Planned for 1984 and styled after the Triumph T140 TSX
, a custom model and further sleeved-down TR60 600 cc Thunderbird was exhibited but not produced, the co-operative closing down towards the end of 1983. The scheduled price was £2181.
The prototype Thunderbird 600 was converted by the factory into a conventional TR65 to fulfil a Ministry of Defence
order. From the Meriden
Triumph factory production records held by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club
, that TR65, made on 1 June 1983, was the last 650 cc motorcycle and the second last motorcycle made at Meriden before the factory's closure that August.
The model pictured, from the National Motorcycle Museum
, was originally sent by Triumph to dealers, Chatmans of Evesham at the end of June 1981 and registered in mid August that year.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
motorcycle
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
that was made by Triumph Motorcycles at the Triumph worker's co-operative at the Meriden
Meriden, West Midlands
-External links:*****...
factory, when they re-introduced the Triumph Thunderbird
Triumph Thunderbird
The Triumph Thunderbird is a British motorcycle that was introduced by Triumph in 1949 and produced in its original form until 1966. The name was used three more times for new and distinct Triumph models.-Original model:...
model name to their range in April 1981.
Development
Triumph Bonneville
The Bonneville is a range of British motorcycles, made in three different production runs from 1959 to 1983, and 1985 to 1988, by the now-defunct Triumph Engineering in Meriden; and since 2001, by Triumph Motorcycles in Hinckley. It is named after the Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, where Triumph and...
engine. This made the engine livelier with a better throttle response and maximum torque produced at higher engine speeds. The TR65 also has a single 30 mm Amal
Amal (motorcycle)
AMAL is a British carburettor trademark. AMAL were the suppliers of carburettors to the British motorcycle industry and their products were present on the products of the largest British motorcycle manufacturers such as BSA and AMC...
carburettor and a mild cam.
Aimed at the economy market, it was cheaper to insure than the 750 and could return 54 mpgimp. Costs were reduced by having a single silencer, using points instead of electronic ignition and a drum rear brake instead of the more expensive disc. There was no tachometer and the warning lights and ignition switch were housed in their pod instead. Cycle parts, including the Girling rear suspension unit springs - were painted in satin black rather than bright chromed or polished, the exhaust system being black chromed to match. Dunlop
Dunlop Tyres
Dunlop Tyres is a British company owned 75% by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and 25% by Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which bought the right to sell Dunlop-branded road tyres....
Gold Seal economy tyres were fitted instead of the more expensive Avon
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is a United States based company that specializes in the design, manufacture, marketing and sales of replacementautomobiles and truck tires, and subsidiaries that specialize in medium truck, motorcycle and racing tires...
Roadrunners specified for the 750 roadster range. Triumph included newly introduced European components such as German ULO direction indicators and Italian Raedelli whell rims and Paioli
Paioli
Paioli is an Italian motorcycle parts company. Parts include suspension units for both front and rear ends as well as minor components such as petrol taps....
petrol taps. The original 'paper dart' Thunderbird logo designed by Edward Turner
Edward Turner
Edward Turner was a British motorcycle designer. He was born in Camberwell in the London Borough of Southwark, on the day King Edward VII was proclaimed King....
for the first Thunderbirds in 1949 was retained on the side panel badge as a reminder of the model's lineage.
Triumph unexcitingly described the TR65 in their publicity poster as Performance With Economy. According to Meriden's records held by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club
Vintage Motor Cycle Club
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club is a UK-based vintage motorcycle club with over 16,000 members, which aims to promote and preserve all makes of motorcycles over 25 years old.-History:...
, the first TR65 was built on 17 June 1981 priced at £1,829.82.
Although produced in 'USA' (2 gallon tank, high handlebars) as well as 'UK/Rest of the World' (low handlebars, 4 gallon tank) cosmetic specifications , no TR65 was exported to the United States because, as with the 750 cc TR7V Tiger, from mid-1978 on, the fitted Amal
Amal (motorcycle)
AMAL is a British carburettor trademark. AMAL were the suppliers of carburettors to the British motorcycle industry and their products were present on the products of the largest British motorcycle manufacturers such as BSA and AMC...
Mk 1 carburettor offended that country's Environmental Protection Agency's regulations. The TR65 was exported to Western Europe and to British Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand albeit in small numbers.
A TR65S Thunderbird albeit one factory-fitted with the electronic ignition and electric starter options (hence the 'S' suffix) and after-market Hedingham leading link front forks carried Richard and Mopsa English and a Squire sidecar
Watsonian Squire
Watsonian Squire is a British manufacturer of sidecars and trailers for attachment to motorcycles. The company was established in 1912 by Thomas Fredrick Watson as the Patent Collapsible Sidecar Company Ltd. at Balsall Heath, Birmingham, England. The company is also the United Kingdom distributor...
around the world from 1982 to 1986. The journey is detailed in their book, Full Circle and their TR65S combination is, since 2010, on display at the London Motorcycle Museum
London Motorcycle Museum
The London Motorcycle Museum opened in May 1999 at Oldfield Lane South, Greenford, Middlesex. A charitable trust, it displays a range of over 150 classic and British motorcycles. Notable exhibits include the last Triumph Bonneville T140 out of the Meriden gates in 1983.-History:Bill Crosby, the...
.
Models
A trail version with electronic ignition, the TR65T
Triumph Tiger Trail
The Triumph Tiger Trail was a motorcycle model manufactured by Triumph Motorcycles at the Meriden factory. The Tiger Trail was made from 1981 to 1982 in both 750 cc and 650 cc capacities, and under 180 models were built...
, was also introduced in 1981 but, together with the earlier 750 cc version was dropped from the range due to poor sales in late 1982, perhaps understandable given that it was priced the same as the 750 cc version.
According to Triumph's 1982/3 range brochure, the cycle parts of that season's 'USA' styled Thunderbird dispensed with the satin black finish, instead adopting bright chrome, polished alloy, a tachometer, twin bright-chromed exhausts and Marzocchi
Marzocchi
Marzocchi is an Italian manufacturer founded in 1949 by the two brothers Stefano and Guglielmo Marzocchi. The company profile includes hydraulic industrial pumps and suspension components for motorcycles and bicycles...
rear suspension units which came, ironically, with black springs as standard. The UK version added the twin exhausts, Marzocchi
Marzocchi
Marzocchi is an Italian manufacturer founded in 1949 by the two brothers Stefano and Guglielmo Marzocchi. The company profile includes hydraulic industrial pumps and suspension components for motorcycles and bicycles...
s and tachometer but retained the satin black cycle parts of the 1981/2 models. Whilst both versions retained their contact breaker points ignition, they were now, like the 750 cc models, shod with Avon Roadrunner tyres. There were price differentials for 1982 USA and UK/RoW styles, for instance being priced at DM8495 and DM8395 respectively in the important German market.
Ten TR65 were modified as Dernys
Derny
A Derny is a motorized bicycle for motor-paced cycling events such as during six-day and Keirin racing, or motor-paced road races. It is driven by a 98cc Zurcher two-stroke engine and by being pedalled through a fixed gear, typically of 70 teeth on the front chainring and 11 on the sprocket on the...
for bicycle speed trials work / pace bikes at the Leicester Velodrome although they were since located at London's Herne Hill
Herne Hill Velodrome
The Herne Hill Velodrome is a velodrome or track cycling venue in south London. It is one of the oldest cycling tracks in the world, having been built in 1891. It hosted the track cycling events in the 1948 Summer Olympics and was briefly the home of Crystal Palace F.C...
facility.
Planned for 1984 and styled after the Triumph T140 TSX
Triumph T140 TSX
The Triumph TSX was a British motorcycle credited by the factory as being designed in 1981–1982 by Triumph Motorcycles America , the factory's American arm...
, a custom model and further sleeved-down TR60 600 cc Thunderbird was exhibited but not produced, the co-operative closing down towards the end of 1983. The scheduled price was £2181.
The prototype Thunderbird 600 was converted by the factory into a conventional TR65 to fulfil a Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
order. From the Meriden
Meriden, West Midlands
-External links:*****...
Triumph factory production records held by the Vintage Motor Cycle Club
Vintage Motor Cycle Club
The Vintage Motor Cycle Club is a UK-based vintage motorcycle club with over 16,000 members, which aims to promote and preserve all makes of motorcycles over 25 years old.-History:...
, that TR65, made on 1 June 1983, was the last 650 cc motorcycle and the second last motorcycle made at Meriden before the factory's closure that August.
The model pictured, from the National Motorcycle Museum
National Motorcycle Museum
There are National Motorcycle Museums in a number of countries. Some of the better known are:*National Motorcycle Museum , Solihull, West Midlands, England.*National Motorcycle Museum , Anamosa, Iowa, USA....
, was originally sent by Triumph to dealers, Chatmans of Evesham at the end of June 1981 and registered in mid August that year.